Skylight with heat-and moisture-releasing grooves

ABSTRACT

A skylight system including a light-admitting cap adapted to fit over a grooved flashing is disclosed. The grooves are constructed in such a way that they will dissipate heat and remove condensation, but they will not admit the passage of unwanted objects, such as dust or bugs, and they are placed in the flashing rather than the cap so as to allow the cap&#39;s form to be less obtrusive than would otherwise be possible. The flashing is formed of a single piece of material, which may be aluminum, to reduce the likelihood of warping, or of cracks forming therein. The system further includes an extension tube communicating between the structure&#39;s exterior and a desired location inside the structure, and an inner trim ring with a filter and a diffuser adapted to moderate the intensity of the admitted light.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] This invention generally relates to skylights, and morespecifically relates to a skylight adapted to release condensation.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] Prior to the development and wide-spread adoption of electriclighting, skylights were popular in architectural design because oftheir ability to naturally illuminate indoor spaces that were notsuitable for or accessible to a standard window. Even now, when electriclighting is almost universally available, natural light is oftenpreferred. Thus, though the motivation for installing skylights may havechanged, they have nevertheless retained much of their popularity.

[0005] If skylights are to conduct light from the exterior of astructure to its interior there must be an opening in that structurethat communicates between the interior and the exterior. Moisture thatpenetrates the skylight thus has a relatively unobstructed path alongthis opening to the interior of the structure, where it can causeobvious problems. Most skylights include flashing to reduce leakagethrough the opening in the structure. However, condensation, which isthe deposition of a liquid or a solid on a surface that is at adifferent, generally lower, temperature than the surrounding gas,remains problematic because its presence inside the skylight does notdepend upon leakage. In the context of a skylight this means that thedifference in the temperature between the interior and the exterior ofthe skylight may cause condensation on the interior surface of theskylight. If this condensation is not removed, the moisture may reducethe clarity of the skylight or even damage the structure in which theskylight resides.

[0006] In order to prevent the buildup of condensation, some skylightsinclude drainage holes located at the base of the light-admitting capthat allow moisture to escape to the skylight's exterior. For severalreasons, this construction is problematic. Drainage holes tend to admitthe entry into the skylight of dust and bugs, which then must be removedin a time-consuming process. Furthermore, locating these drainage holeson the light-admitting cap is expensive, difficult, and requires a highprofile skylight that detracts from the appearance of the roof line andof the entire structure.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0007] Therefore, there existed a need to provide a skylight systemcapable of reducing or eliminating condensation while avoiding theshortcomings of the prior art. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, a skylight system comprises a light-admitting cap adapted tofit over a flashing having indents therein. These indents are describedherein as grooves, but may also take other forms such as circular orotherwise symmetrical indentations. As used herein, grooves meanselongate channels. The grooves are constructed to limit or prevent thepassage of unwanted objects, such as bugs and dust, yet allow moistureto pass therethrough. The grooves may be placed in the flashing ratherthan the cap so as to allow the cap's form to be less obtrusive thanwould otherwise be possible, though it will be understood that thegrooves may in some embodiments, where a lower profile is a lesserconcern, be located in the cap, or anywhere within a contact zone formedby the union of the cap and the flashing. The flashing may be formed ofa single piece of material, such as aluminum or similar material, toreduce the likelihood of warping, or of cracks forming therein.

[0008] The skylight system may further have an extension tube and aninner trim ring with filter and diffuser. The extension tube integrateswith the skylight's flashing and is placed within an opening in thestructure extending from roof to ceiling. The inner trim ring attachesto the bottom of the extension tube where the tube penetrates theceiling, and the filter and diffuser broadcast the natural light thusadmitted into the structure's interior space. The skylight hereindescribed is thus more attractive, cleaner, less permeable to unwantedforeign matter, and more easily and less expensively manufactured thanearlier skylight assemblies.

[0009] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the inventionwill be apparent from the following more particular description ofcertain embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Specific embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, where likedesignations denote like elements.

[0011]FIG. 1 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention, withsome environmental structure indicated.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the presentinvention.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the light-admitting cap of thepresent invention.

[0014]FIG. 4 is an enlarged cutaway view of a grooved flashing showingthe condensation removal process.

[0015]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the inner trim ring of the presentinvention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention is a skylight system that keeps outunwanted foreign matter and has a reduced exterior profile. According toan embodiment of the present invention, a skylight system comprises alight-admitting cap adapted to fit over a grooved flashing. The groovesare constructed such that they will not admit the passage of unwantedobjects, such as bugs and dust, and they may in one embodiment be placedin the flashing rather than the cap so as to allow the cap's form to beless obtrusive than would otherwise be possible. The flashing is formedof a single piece of material, which may be aluminum, to reduce thelikelihood of warping, or of cracks forming therein. The system furtherincludes an extension tube communicating between the structure'sexterior and a desired location inside the structure, and an inner trimring with a filter and a diffuser adapted to moderate the intensity ofthe admitted light.

[0017] Referring to the figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, a skylightsystem 10 according to the present invention is installed in a structure12 which has an exterior surface 14 and an interior surface 16. Skylightsystem 10 comprises a light-admitting cap 18, a flashing 24, anextension tube 26, an inner trim ring 28, and a cover 30.Light-admitting cap 18, in the pictured embodiment, comprises a dome 20and a dome ring 22. Flashing 24 includes a base 25. Cap 18 and flashing24 come together to form at least a partial seal between them, the sealarea being a contact zone, as will be more fully described in connectionwith FIG. 2.

[0018] Structure 12 may conventionally be a dwelling place such as ahouse, in which case exterior surface 14 may be the roof of the houseand interior surface 16 may be the ceiling inside. Structure 12 thus mayat times herein be referred to as house 12, and exterior surface 14 andinterior surface 16 may at times be referred to herein as, respectively,roof 14 and ceiling 16. However, it should be understood that skylightsystem 10 is not limited to installation in houses with roofs andceilings, but may be installed in any structure where it is desirable tobring into the interior of a structure light originating from a sourceexterior to the structure.

[0019] Light-admitting cap 18 is generally the uppermost component ofskylight system 10, meaning that it generally covers the top of tube 26and extends farther above roof 14 than the other components of system10. While cap 18 may possess any of several shapes, the pictured domeshape is conventional. Cap 18 is constructed of a clear, transparent,translucent, or otherwise light-permeable material. Dome 20 may be a 100percent impact acrylic dome. When the sun or other light source locatedoutside structure 12 shines on roof 14, cap 18 admits the light andallows it to pass into extension tube 26. Cap 18 may be advantageouslyplaced at a location where the amount of light it receives will bemaximized. As shown in FIG. 1, cap 18, after installation on roof 14, isoriented such that an axis taken through the center of cap 18 isperpendicular to ceiling 16. Other orientations are, of course, alsopossible. If the light source is the sun, the pictured orientation isconvenient in that it allows sunlight, when not obscured by interveningobjects, to penetrate cap 18 during a large percentage of the time thesun is above the horizon, no matter where on the earth structure 12 islocated.

[0020] As is true in FIG. 1, it is common practice for roof 14 ofstructure 12 to be sloped or angled with respect to level ground. Inorder that cap 18 may be oriented as described in the precedingparagraph, flashing 24 must compensate for the slope by possessing anangled neck, as will be more fully explained in connection with FIG. 2.Base 25 of flashing 24 rests on roof 14 and surrounds an opening, notshown, in roof 14 provided for the purpose of inserting extension tube26. The union of flashing 24 and roof 14 is sealed against the entry ofwater and other unwanted substances or items in a manner that is wellknown in the art.

[0021] Extension tube 26 conducts light from where it is gathered at cap18 to where it is wanted below ceiling 16 in structure 12. Many houses12 have attics, crawlspaces, or other intervening areas 13 between roof14 and ceiling 16. Extension tube 26 contains and conducts light throughintervening area 13 to the interior space of house 12 without thescattering or loss that would occur if tube 26 were not present. In astructure 12 lacking intervening area 13, an embodiment of skylightsystem 10 omitting extension tube 26 may conveniently be used. Innertrim ring 28 attaches to extension tube 26 where tube 26 penetratesceiling 16. Cover 30 depends from trim ring 28 and cover 30 and trimring 28 together give skylight system 10 a finished, pleasingappearance.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, flashing 24 comprises base 25, a neck32, and a collar 34. Collar 34, in one embodiment, includes grooves 36in an outside surface 35 and a gasket 38 on an inside surface 37. Collar34 further includes an upper edge 49. A lower perimeter 40 of neck 32marks the transition from base 25 to neck 32. Similarly, an upperperimeter 42 marks the transition from neck 32 to collar 34. Neck 32 hasan inner surface 44, a least height 46, and a greatest height 48. Insidesurface 50 of dome ring 22 (see FIG. 3) fits over outside surface 35 ofcollar 34, thereby forming a contact zone that forms at least a partialseal between cap 18 and flashing 24. Although grooves 36 will repeatedlyherein be described as located in collar 34, one of ordinary skill inthe art will readily understand that grooves 36 may in some embodimentsof the invention be placed elsewhere within the contact zone formedbetween inside surface 50 and outside surface 35, such as in dome ring22.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 3, light-admitting cap 18 comprises, asdiscussed in connection with FIG. 1, dome 20 and dome ring 22. Dome ring22 has an inner surface 50, an outer surface 51, and a lower edge 58. Arolled edge 56 of dome ring 22 cups a flange 63 of dome 20. Flange 63 isvisible in FIG. 4 but is not shown in FIG. 3. An adhesive layer 52 islocated between flange 63 of dome 20 and rolled edge 56. Cap 18 furthercomprises mounting apertures 54, which extend completely through domering 22.

[0024] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the same openingthrough which skylight system 10 admits light may also become the entrypoint for unwanted material or objects. As has been discussed, theopening must penetrate both roof 14 and ceiling 16 and provide acontinuous path in between, thus offering an obvious conduit for theadmission of such objects. One of the functions of flashing 24 is toprevent the entry of items such as water, bugs, and dust. Flashing 24does this in several ways, as discussed below.

[0025] Flashing 24 is in one embodiment formed from a single piece ofmaterial. Aluminum, because of its resistance to rust, is one materialthat may be used, though it should be understood that the presentinvention is in no way limited to aluminum or to any other particularmaterial. The unitary construction of flashing 24 eliminates the cracksand stresses that sometimes occur at the junction of separate pieces.For example, if base 25 had originally been a separate piece that waslater welded to neck 32, the weld junction would tend to weaken overtime and its integrity would be compromised. The present inventioncontemplates reducing that possibility by using, in certain of itsembodiments, the unitary construction for flashing 24. As stated, lowerperimeter 40 marks the transition zone between base 25 and neck 32. In aconventional embodiment of skylight system 10, lower perimeter 40 is themidpoint of a smooth, shoulder-like change in direction of the materialof flashing 24. This smooth shoulder may also be less prone to leaks orcracks than an abrupt transition would be.

[0026] Base 25 is relatively broad and flat and may be shaped like adisk, although many other shapes are also possible. For example, base 25may be square, rectangular, oval, or any one of many other shapeswithout departing from the spirit of the invention. The diameter orother dimensions of base 25 may vary depending on the model as well asother considerations. In order to comply with building codes, base 25may be at least four inches wide, while least height 46 of neck 32 maybe at least four inches. Neck 32 rises out of the plane defined by base25. Neck 32 varies in height as measured from base 25, with least height46 and greatest height 48 being the two extremes. As discussed inconnection with FIG. 1, neck 32 may be angled so as to compensate for aroof 14 that is sloped with respect to level ground. Many roofs aresloped in this way, and in order that light-admitting cap 18 may beoriented substantially parallel to level ground, and thus increase itslight-gathering capacity, neck 32 may have the slope described. Theheight difference between least height 46 and greatest height 48 may becalculated to correspond to the slope of roof 14, although this is not anecessary feature of the present invention. Regarding the actualdimensions of least height 46, as well the other parts of neck 32, theinvention contemplates a wide range of measurements, with considerationin practice being given to the idea that many customers prefer thatskylight system 10 be as unobtrusive as possible.

[0027] Upper perimeter 42 is similar to lower perimeter 40 in that itmarks the transition between neck 32 and collar 34. Upper perimeter 42may demarcate a transition that is slightly more abrupt than that atlower perimeter 40, though a smooth transition at upper perimeter 42 isalso possible. In the first-mentioned embodiment, the abruptness ofupper perimeter 42 encourages a snug interface between dome ring 22 andneck 32. The general orientation of neck 32 is similar to the generalorientation of collar 34. Therefore, in order for the transition atupper perimeter 42 to be abrupt, and the resulting fit snug, a portionof neck 32 must be oriented differently from the orientation of thegeneral body of neck 32. This differently-oriented portion is apparentin FIG. 2, where a contour line 43 indicates the presence of a shelf 45in neck 32. Shelf 45 comprises a transition zone between the mainportion of neck 32 and the true transition point between neck 32 andcollar 34 marked by upper perimeter 42. Shelf 45 advantageously runs ina continuous ring around neck 32 distal from base 25, and may in oneembodiment measure significantly less from side to side than does collar34 from top to bottom.

[0028] Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 3, light-admitting cap 18 isadapted to fit over collar 34, with inside surface 50 of dome ring 22sliding over and contacting outside surface 35 of collar 34. Collar 34and dome ring 22 may have a height exceeding roughly a quarter inch soas to provide adequate surface area for a good union. However, as willbe understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, other dimensionsare also possible. The smooth union between dome ring 22 and collar 34is interrupted in various places by grooves 36, which may be cut intocollar 34. Grooves 36 may be located at substantially equal intervalsaround the entire circumference of collar 34. It should be pointed out,however, that not only are other spacings contemplated, but collar 34,as stated elsewhere, need not be circular in shape but may be square,rectangular, oval, or otherwise.

[0029] Grooves 36 may, in one embodiment of skylight system 10, beoriented substantially perpendicular to upper perimeter 42 and upperedge 49, and may extend along a substantial portion of the distancebetween them. In another embodiment, grooves 36 may extend along asmaller portion of collar 34. One possible length for grooves 36 tsapproximately one inch, though shorter or longer grooves are alsocontemplated. Grooves 36 may in one embodiment have a depth ofapproximately 0.020 inches, though one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that greater or lesser depths are also possible.

[0030] When light-admitting cap 18 is attached to collar 34 of flashing24 in accordance with the present invention, conditions may be such thatcondensation forms on an inside surface 62 of dome 20, as indicated inFIG. 4. In general, condensation appears on a surface when the surfaceis at a different temperature than the surrounding gas. Quite typically,the surface on which the condensation appears is at a lower temperaturethan is the gas. In a conventional arrangement where skylight system 10is installed in a structure 12, intervening area 13 above ceiling 16contains air that is at an elevated temperature. Inside surface 62,under certain conditions, may be at a lower temperature than the air inintervening space 13, setting up a condition conducive to the depositionof condensation on inside surface 62.

[0031] If left to accumulate, this condensation may stream down insidesurface 62 and into extension tube 26, eventually making its way toinner trim ring 28 where it may collect inside cover 30 or seep out intoceiling 16. To avoid this consequence, skylight system 10 must beprovided with an outlet for condensation whereby the moisture depositedon inside surface 62 may be allowed to escape to the exterior of system10. In the present invention, grooves 36 serve this purpose. They are ofsufficient size to allow condensation to exit skylight system 10, but ingeneral are too shallow for bugs to pass through. Further, theorientation of grooves 36 discourages the passage of dust in that a dustparticle would have to first enter the small space 68, indicated in FIG.4, and then travel vertically upwards, against gravity, before passinginto the interior of dome 20. The process whereby condensation travelsalong grooves 36 and exits exterior to skylight system 10 will befurther explained in connection with FIG. 4.

[0032] Locating grooves 36 in collar 34 is in many cases easier andcheaper than locating them in dome ring 22 because of the tool sizes andconfigurations required. The placement of grooves 36 in collar 34, orelsewhere in the contact zone formed by the union of inside surface 50of dome ring 22 and outside surface 35 of collar 34, also allowsflashing 24 to be constructed with a lower profile at rolled edge 56,which may provide a more pleasing appearance than skylights with higherprofiles would have. If grooves or other indents 36 were located inrolled edge 56, rolled edge 56 would necessarily include more material,be larger, and extend further away from dome 20, creating a largerprofile that is less pleasing and attractive.

[0033] In addition to grooves 36, collar 34 may include gasket 38.Gasket 38 may be located on inner surface 37 of collar 34. From thislocation, or from other locations where it may alternatively be placed,gasket 38 may catch and collect any moisture, bugs, dust, or otherunwanted material that in spite of the above-mentioned features employedto reduce the occurrence, passes into and is present inside dome 20.Gasket 38 may take any one of a variety of embodiments such as a rubberring or a metal lip. In one embodiment gasket 38 may comprise a densestrip of flexible fibers securely attached to an adhesive strip, notshown. The adhesive strip may be adapted to the shape of collar 34 andthen pressed into place on inside surface 37.

[0034] Base 25 is attached and sealed to roof 14 in a manner well knownin the art. In addition to the structural features discussed above, theattachment and sealing are performed so as to prevent the entry of waterand other items into structure 12.

[0035] Referring still to FIG. 3, adhesive layer 52 bonds dome 20 todome ring 22. Adhesive layer 52 may comprise silicone, or it maycomprise another adhesive substance. Adhesive layer 52 is located in thevicinity of rolled edge 56. One method of applying adhesive layer 52 tolight-admitting cap 18 is to (1) place a bead of silicone, or otheradhesive, on inner surface 50 of dome ring 22 before rolled edge 56 hasbeen formed, (2) position dome 20 interior to dome ring 22 such thatflange 63 of dome 20 is at or near the level of adhesive layer 52, then(3) crimp or bend the edge of dome ring 22 such that it rolls aroundflange 63, creating rolled edge 56. Adhesive layer 52 then fills atleast a part of the interior of rolled edge 56 and thus may contact bothtop and bottom of flange 63. Alternative methods of attachment, eitherusing adhesive layer 52 or some other method, may also be possible.

[0036] Mounting apertures 54 may be placed within dome ring 22 belowrolled edge 56. Apertures 54 extend completely through dome ring 22, andare adapted to receive mounting devices such as screws, bolts, pins, orother mounting devices, not shown in the figures. After passing throughmounting apertures 54, the mounting devices may be inserted partially orcompletely into flashing 24. Mounting apertures 54 may be placed in domering 22, thus placing less stress and strain on dome 20 from thepressure due to mounting devices 54. Such placement may prevent orminimize structural failure or damage. A spinning process may be used toattach dome 20 to dome ring 22 in order to avoid shattering or otherdamage due to stresses on dome 20. When light-admitting cap 18 is placedon flashing 24 and attached as just described, lower edge 58 of domering 22 rests on or near shelf 45 of upper perimeter 42 of flashing 24.

[0037]FIG. 4 depicts a stream of condensation exiting skylight system 10along a groove 36. The figure is a cross sectional or cutaway view ofportions of light-admitting cap 18 and flashing 24. Flange 63 of dome 20is here visible extending into rolled edge 56 of dome ring 22. Adhesivelayer 52 may be seen between flange 63 and rolled edge 56, as earlierdescribed. Dome 20 has an outside surface 60 and an inside surface 62.It is on inside surface 62 of dome 20 that condensation droplets 64generally form. Droplets 64 slide down inside surface 62 of dome 20,cross adhesive layer 52, and enter a gap 66 between dome ring 22 andcollar 34. In FIG. 4, groove 36 does not extend along collar 34 all theway to upper edge 49, although in other embodiments that construction isa possibility. Here, condensation droplet 64 negotiates gap 66,eventually reaching the point somewhat below upper edge 49 where groove36 begins.

[0038] This cutaway view is taken lengthwise through one of the grooves36 from a point at or near the center of the groove. As may be seen,groove 36 conducts condensation droplets 64 along its length anddeposits them outside skylight system 10 below dome ring 22 in thevicinity of neck 32 and upper perimeter 42, from where droplets 64 mayevaporate, fall away from skylight 10, or otherwise dissipate. It mayfurther be seen that while groove 36 provides a channel along whichdroplets 64 may travel, dome ring 22 presses very closely upon thenon-grooved portions of collar 34, and thus offers little opportunityfor foreign or unwanted matter to enter skylight system 10. An exitpoint 68 near upper perimeter 42 offers only a very narrow aperturethrough which condensation droplets 64 exit groove 36, and through whichit would be difficult for any substance or item to enter.

[0039] With reference to FIG. 5, inner trim ring 28 is shown separatedinto its components. Cover 30 is also shown. Inner trim ring 28comprises a fixed ring 70, a twist-on ring 72, and a filter 74. Fixedring 70 includes a ridge 76 and a base 78. Ceiling mounting apertures 80alternate with keyhole apertures 82 in base 78. Keyhole apertures 82 areoblong in shape, with a larger opening in one end and a smaller openingin the other end, in a manner well known in the art. Ridge 76 has aninner surface 84 on which is attached a gasket 86. Twist-on ring 72includes standoffs 90, an opening 92, and a ledge 94, and filter 74includes through-holes 88. Cover 30 has a rim 96.

[0040] A manner in which inner trim ring 28 is assembled and attached tothe rest of skylight system 10 will now be described. Fixed ring 70 isbrought close to extension tube 26, which is shown in FIG. 1. Innersurface 84 of ridge 76 slides over the outside of extension tube 26, andgasket 86 contacts tube 26. Suitable mounting devices are insertedthrough ceiling mounting apertures 80 from the side of fixed ring 70opposite ridge 76 and then into ceiling 16, whereby fixed ring 70 issecured to ceiling 16, not shown. Cover 30 is then placed within opening92 of twist-on ring 72, with rim 96 resting on ledge 94. Thecircumference of cover 30 advantageously exceeds the circumference ofopening 92 so that cover 30 may rest on twist-on ring 72. Through-holes88 in filter 74 are next placed over standoffs 90 in twist-on ring 72.With cover 30 and filter 74 thus in place, twist-on ring 72 is broughtclose to fixed ring 70, standoffs 90 are inserted into the larger endsof keyhole apertures 82, and twist-on ring 72 is twisted so as to causestandoffs 90 to enter the smaller ends of keyhole apertures 82. Fromthis position standoffs 90 may not easily be removed from keyholeapertures 82, and the components of inner trim ring 28, in addition tocover 30, are securely attached to extension tube 26 and ceiling 16. Theremoval of twist-on ring 72 requires only that the direction of thetwist applied to ring 72 be reversed from that in the foregoingdescription.

[0041] Gasket 86 may be similar to gasket 38 located inside collar 34and described in connection with FIG. 2, although the invention does notrequire that this be the case. Filter 74 softens the light enteringskylight system 10 and may reduce harsh, concentrated light or glare.Filter 74 may be constructed of an acrylic material, and mayconventionally be cut into a shape that matches that of inner trim ring28. Cover 30 may also be adapted to soften or diffuse the light enteringstructure 12. In one embodiment, cover 30, which may be formed of anacrylic substance, is composed of a series of alternating ridges anddepressions that scatter or distort any light passing through it. Theeffect of this diffusion may be to illuminate a larger area than wouldotherwise be possible, with an indirect light that lacks the displeasingeffect of a more intense or focused beam.

[0042] The foregoing paragraphs have thus described a skylight systemincluding a light-admitting cap adapted to fit over a grooved flashing.The grooves are constructed in such a way that they will not admit thepassage of unwanted objects, such as dust or bugs, and they are placedin the flashing rather than the cap so as to allow the cap's form to beless obtrusive than would otherwise be possible. The flashing is formedof a single piece of material, which may be aluminum, to reduce thelikelihood of warping, or of cracks forming therein. The system furtherincludes an extension tube communicating between the structure'sexterior and a desired location inside the structure, and an inner trimring with a filter and a diffuser adapted to moderate the intensity ofthe admitted light.

[0043] As has been pointed out at various places within the foregoing,while the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.For example, it will be understood that although the shape of variouscomponents of the invention have been described in terms identifyingthem as circular, other shapes are also acceptable and within theinvention's scope. Likewise, the omission or inclusion of, or a changemade to, one or another component or feature of the invention will nottake the resulting embodiment outside of the scope of the invention,except as limited by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A skylight venting system wherein a light admitting caphaving an interior surface is adapted to fit over a flashing and form atleast a partial seal between said interior surface of said cap and anexterior surface of said flashing, said seal area being a contact zoneabout at least a portion of a periphery of said flashing, the inventioncomprising: indents extending through the contact zone whereby moisturemay travel from said interior surface of said cap through said contactzone to the exterior of said flashing.
 2. The skylight system of claim 1wherein said indents are located in said flashing.
 3. The skylightsystem of claim 2 wherein the top of said flashing forms a collar toreceive said cap around it; said indents being located in said collar.4. The skylight system of claim 1 wherein said indents are elongatechannels.
 5. The skylight system of claim 4 wherein the length of saidelongate channels is in the range between one sixteenth of an inch andone and a half inches.
 6. The skylight system of claim 5 wherein thedepth of said elongate channels is in the range between one sixty-fourthof an inch and one quarter of an inch.
 7. The skylight of claim 1wherein said flashing is constructed from a single piece of material. 8.The skylight of claim 7 wherein said material is aluminum.
 9. Theskylight of claim 7 wherein said flashing comprises: (1) a base; (2) aneck rising in a substantially vertical direction out of said base; and(3) a collar defining an opening in said neck distal from said base. 10.The skylight of claim 9 wherein said collar includes a gasket.
 11. Theskylight of claim 9 wherein said neck comprises a lower perimeter and anupper perimeter, said lower perimeter greater than said upper perimeter,said lower perimeter substantially parallel to said base and said upperperimeter angled with respect to said base such that the surface of saidneck transitions from a least height where said upper perimeter mostclosely approaches said lower perimeter to a greatest height where saidupper perimeter most greatly diverges from said lower perimeter.
 12. Theskylight of claim 9 wherein said indent is located in said collar. 13.The skylight of claim 12 wherein said collar contains a plurality ofsaid indents, the spacing between each pair of adjacent indents beingsubstantially equal, said indents being substantially perpendicular tosaid opening in said neck.
 14. The skylight of claim 1 wherein said capis dome-shaped, said opening is circular, and said band is a ring. 15.The skylight of claim 14 wherein said cap is formed of an acrylicmaterial.
 16. The skylight of claim 1 further comprising: (4) anextension tube in contact at a first end with said flashing; (5) aninner band forming a perimeter of a second end of said extension tube;(6) a gasket interposed between said second end of said extension tubeand said inner band; (7) a cover depending from said inner band; and (8)a filter interposed between said gasket and said cover.
 17. The skylightof claim 16 wherein said inner band is ring shaped.
 18. The skylight ofclaim 17 wherein said inner band comprises a first ring and a secondring, said first ring including at least one keyhole, said second ringincluding at least one standoff adapted to fit into said keyhole, saidfirst ring further including at least one mounting aperture forattaching said first ring to said structure.
 19. A skylight adapted toadmit light into the interior of a structure, said light originatingfrom a source outside said structure, said skylight comprising: (1) alight-admitting acrylic dome, said dome having a circular opening; (2) aring forming a perimeter of said opening; (3) a silicon layer betweensaid dome and said ring, said silicone layer tending to bond said dometo said ring; (4) a flashing adapted to interface with said dome at saidring, said interface comprising a contact zone, said flashingconstructed of a single piece of aluminum, said flashing furthercomprising: (a) a flat base; (b) a neck rising in a substantiallyvertical direction out of said base, said neck comprising a lowerperimeter and an upper perimeter, said lower perimeter greater than saidupper perimeter, said lower perimeter substantially parallel to saidbase and said upper perimeter angled with respect to said base such thatthe surface of said neck smoothly transitions from a least height wheresaid upper perimeter most closely approaches said lower perimeter to agreatest height where said upper perimeter most greatly diverges fromsaid lower perimeter; and (c) a collar defining an opening in said neckdistal from said base; (5) indents extending through said contact zonewhereby moisture and heat may travel from an interior surface of saiddome through said contact zone to the exterior of said flashing. (6) anextension tube in contact at a first end with said flashing; (7) aninner trim ring forming a perimeter of a second end of said extensiontube, said inner trim ring comprising a first ring and a second ring,said first ring including at least one keyhole, said second ringincluding at least one standoff adapted to fit into said keyhole, saidfirst ring further including at least one mounting aperture forattaching said first ring to said structure; (8) a gasket interposedbetween said second end of said extension tube and said inner trim ring;(9) a cover depending from said inner trim ring; and (10) a filterinterposed between said gasket and said cover.
 20. A method ofilluminating a structure by introducing light into the interior of saidstructure, said light originating from a source outside said structure,said method comprising the steps of: (1) providing a skylight to beinstalled in said structure, said skylight comprising: (a) alight-admitting cap, said cap having an opening; (b) a band forming aperimeter of said opening; (c) a flashing adapted to interface with saidcap at said band, said flashing including at least one indent, saidindent permitting the release of condensation that may be present on asurface of said cap; (d) an extension tube in contact at a first endwith said flashing; (e) an inner band forming a perimeter of a secondend of said extension tube;and (f) a cover depending from said innerband; (2) making an opening in said structure; said openingcommunicating between an outer surface and an inner surface of saidstructure, said opening passing through any intervening material, saidopening suitable to receive said skylight; (3) arranging said flashingand said cap on said outer surface of said structure above said opening;(4) placing said extension tube in said opening; (5) attaching saidinner band to said inner surface of said structure below said opening;and (6) attaching said cover to said inner band.